Last Minute Air Forces Musings

With Louis Nix not making the trip out to Colorodo Kona Schwenke will do just fine.

The Falcons quarterback choices; a fourth string with no starts or a third string QB coming of a concussion.

Expect Air Force to run the ball as they are ranked 121 in passing averaging 102.3 yards a game, as opposed to their running game ranked 12 at 268.6 yards a game.

What to do with Hendrix in this game?  With the Falcons defense giving up over 37 points a game good for 116^th in the country Rees should not have to play the entire game.

Who to watch out of the backfield?  Air Force have five backs with at least 40 carries this season,  all of which have at least 200 yards each.

If Jaylon Smith follows his assignments against the option he could have a career (early career) game.

 

Is there any chance Air force can win (or even keep it close for that matter)?  If the Falcons get up early and the Irish are forced to play from behind, Rees goes out early and Hendrix, well plays like Hendrix and a lot of luck.

Air Force Game Note Highlights

What you should know about going into this Saturdays game at Air Force from Notre Dame’s Game Notes.  We sift through them so you don’t have to.

Notre Dame holds a 23-6 series lead against Air Force, including a 12-2 record against Air Force in Falcon Stadium.  Their last meeting in 2011 Notre Dame routed Air Force, 59-33.

Freshman DL Isaac Roshell has an older brother Matt that's a sophomore OL for Air Force. Both attended Eagles Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Ga.

Notable head to head match ups.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Air Force Falcons

National Rank 12th, Sacks Allowed	vs.	Sacks, National Rank 117th
National Rank 85th, Sacks	vs.	Sacks Allowed, National Rank 7th
National Rank 43rd, Red-Zone Defense	vs.	Red-Zone Offense , National Rank 6th

 

A VICTORY OVER AIR FORCE...

Improves Notre Dame's all-time record to 24-6 (.800) against the Air Force

Improves Notre Dame's all-time record to 135-26-5 (.828) against Service Academies.

Improves Notre Dame's all-time record to 29-6 (.829) against Mountain West Conference opponents.

HOW DO THEY STACK UP?

Average weight of the offensive and defensive lines:

Notre Dame OL 311.4 lbs. vs. Air Force DL 256.7 lbs.  54.7lb average difference Advantage Irish

Notre Dame DL 317.0 lbs. vs. Air Force OL 261.0 lbs.  56lb average difference Advantage Irish

Average height of the receivers and the secondaries:

Notre Dame WR/TE 6'0 3/4" vs. Air Force DB 5'11".  1 3/4” average difference Advantage Irish

Notre Dame DB 5'11 3/8" vs. Air Force WR 6'0".  5/8” average difference Advantage Falcons

ON THIS DATE

Notre Dame has played 14 previous games in its history on Oct. 26. The Irish are 12-2 (.857) all-time on this date.

Irish Milestones Within Reach

Carlo Calabrese Tackles 194 6 tackles to reach 200 for his career

TJ Jones TD Receptions 15 1 TD receptions to move into 8th all-time in school history

Stephon Tuitt Sacks 19.0 0.5 sacks to move into tie for 5th all-time

Prince Shembo Sacks 17.0 1.0 sacks to move into tie for 8th all-time

NOTRE DAME IN OCTOBER

Notre Dame is 382-92-8 (.801) all-time during the month of October.

The Irish are 147-43-4 (.768) in October games away from Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame has won 11 of its last 13 games away from Notre Dame Stadium in the month of October.

Notable “The Last Time” against Air Force

Had four rush TDs: vs. Air Force, 2011 (4)

Had four or more passing TDs: vs. Air Force, 2011 (4)

Returned a blocked FG for a TD: at Air Force, 2006 (Terrail Lambert, 76 yards)

One player accounted for four or more touchdowns: Tommy Rees vs. Air Force, 2010 (4 passing)

An opposing team had 300-399 yards against the Irish: Air Force, 2011 (363)

Had 80 or more plays: Air Force, 2011 (88)

Had 30 or more first downs:  Air Force, 2011 (32)

Follower Question

Talking Irish Follower John M. sent us a question and we did the best to answer.

Question that came into Talking Irish from follower John: what will the Notre Dame team do to prepare for the Colorado Springs altitude @ the upcoming USAFA game?

Response from talking Irish: At this point in the season the Irish should be in about as good of shape (as far as conditioning) as they are going to get.  I think the coaching staff may make so e adjustments in the game plane to address any altitude issues such as rotating in and out a lot of personal on both sides of the ball.  Thanks for the question.

The Defense is Back

USC may to have appeared to beat the Irish offensively all night at least statistically.

	USC	ND
First Downs (Rush/Pass)	18 (7/10)	17 (6/9)
Yards per rush	4.2	3.2
Passing yards	201	166
Total Offensive Yards	330	295
Yards per gain	5.1	4.5
Possession Time	31:18	28:42

 

USC players came out of South Bend with some respectable if not impressive individual numbers.  Running back Silas Redd had 112 yards, averaging 5.9 yards a carry along with a touchdown.  Receivers Agholor and Rogers each had six catches with 89 and 60 yards respectively.  Nelson Agholor also had four punt returns for 100 yards (average of 25 yards per return) with a long of 48.

With all those numbers and performances it was the Irish defense looking like the defensive squad from 2012 that won the game for Notre Dame.  Six players had tackles for a loss for the Irish; Calabrese, Tuitt, Jackson, Smith, Day and Nix.  Notre Dame’s defense also had an interception (Farley) and two sacks (Tuitt).  The defense also threw in five quarterback hurries and four pass breakups.

 
 
 
 
After Tommy Rees went down with a neck injury and the Notre Dame Offense stalling out the Irish defense held the line playing the bend don’t break defense we loved last season not allowing a score in the second half.  USC had eight offensive series in the second half; four finished with three and outs, one with an interception, a missed field goal and two on downs.

Appropriately Stephon Tuitt was awarded the game ball for his seven tackles (4 solo/3 assisted), two tackles for a loss (16 yards), one pass breakup, two sacks and two quarterback hurries.